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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "insurance fee " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "the consignment" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "hundred thousand united state dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +22993900173 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • primelcsmailbox@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: KEN AGUSON <williams.obi1@orange.nl>
Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2008 11:33:12 +0100 (CET)
Subject: YOUR COMPENSATION FOR HELPING ME


YOUR COMPENSATION FOR HELPING ME

My Dear Friend!

How are you today. This is to thank you for your anticipated help in a matter that is very important to me. I have a business deal which I executed successfully with the help of a friend of mine in Korea. I am in London with my family presently with the intention of seeking asylum there but the UK government refuse unless I declare my asset, so now I have limited time to be here. Before I leave for London, I made available 10% of the total money which is $800,000.00 (EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATE DOLLARS) cash for you. I made it cash because my account officer advice me to do so, he said that since I will not be around, it will be safe to keep cash than to keep check, because of the validity of the check might expire before you get the check.

The reason why I am sending you this money is that I will like you to help me make some investment in your country, I will like to invest part of my money there but I need you to guide me because I have never been in the business world before, so I need your assistance, that is the more reason why I am sending you this money as a compensation for you help me. if you will do it for me, please get back to me and tell me the area you think is OK to invest.

I have, through the help of my account officer packaged the money in a security proof box. The box was sealed with synthetic nylon seal and padded with machine and put it in another leather box for discarding sake. It was deposited with PRIME LOGISTIC COURIER COMPANY for safe keeping, as (Sensitive Photographic Film Material), The Company does not know the original contents of the box. What l declared to them as the content is Sensitive Photographic Film Material, I did not declare money to them please. that is what you will mention to them when contacting them.

Also, note that I have paid the delivery fee and insurance fee in advance pending the time you will contact them, so you don't have any problem. the only fee they will ask you is their handling charge which theysaid is $200. I would have paid the money when I am paying for the delivery and insurance fees but they told me that if I pay it then, the consignment will start accumulating demur rage for you. so I leave it in order for you not to pay demur-rage on the consignment.

Below is the Deposit details
Deposit Number: PLCC-101-PL45
Sort/Clearance Code: PLC/101-45/P50
Deposit Certificate N0.: 405576
Consignment Description: 1 Box Sensitive Photographic Film Material
Depositor: Mr. Ken Aguson

Write a letter of application and quote the deposit details to the given address below.
Make sure you quote the deposit details well to avoid misinformation.
Company: PRIME LOGISTIC COURIER COMPANY BENIN REPUBLIC
Contact Person: Dr Thomas Ebong (Director)
Contact Email: primelcsmailbox@gmail.com
contact phone number +229 93 900 173

So do contact the courier company because they are waiting for you. Send them your contacts information to able them locate you immediately they arrived in your country with your BOX . This is what they need from you.

1.YOUR FULL NAME............
2.YOUR COUNTRY...........
3.YOUR HOME ADDRESS.............
4.YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER.........
5.YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE..........
6.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE............

Forward these information to them and ask them name you will use to send them $200 handling charge for immediate delivery of the cash box to your doorstep.

I wait to hear from you.
Regards,

MR. Ken Aguson.

NOTE THEIR MANAGER MRS. PAT UGWU IS A VERY CLOSE FRIEND OF MY FAMILY, SHE WILL GIVE YOU SPECIAL ATTENTION IF YOU MENTION MY NAME TO HER. HAPPY CHEERS!!!!!

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam